dance – NZ Film Freak

Chandelier – Sia

Chandelier song video of Sia's While we are on the topic of Sia, I love her earlier song: Chandelier.

It’s just as emotionally-charged and high energy as Elastic Heart. In fact, I see Chandelier as the prequel to Elastic Heart, because the videos are both directed by Sia and Daniel Askill and features the same dancer in the music video, Maddie Ziegler. You can definitely tell the dancing was choreographed by the same person too, Ryan Heffington, as some of the moves are the same, and so is Ziegler’s costume.

It’s still fantastic though. The video was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Music Video, and became the seventh most watched YouTube video of 2014.

The lyrics are great. It reminds me of Tove Lo’s song High, because it’s about the plights of a party girl. (Which, I personally find a frightening subject matter after seeing the music video to High.)

I’m gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I’m gonna live like tomorrow doesn’t exist
Like it doesn’t exist
I’m gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry…

But I’m holding on for dear life, won’t look down won’t open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, ‘cos I’m just holding on for tonight
Help me, I’m holding on for dear life, won’t look down won’t open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, ‘cos I’m just holding on for tonight…

I’ve found a lot of covers – including one by Sara Bareilles. But they’re either too slow, which I don’t think gives the song justice, or (in the case of some of the singing contestants on tv) are just plain out of tune.

Sia’s original performance is the best, and I don’t think it will be beaten. No one can match her vocals – especially live!

Jodie

Elastic Heart – Sia

Elastic Heart music video Sia I am so slow to the party.

This song was on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack, and boy is it powerful.

I think the song can speak for itself, but it’s a chilling story of the singer’s two emotional versions of herself. Each side wrestles to become dominant.

I imagine it’s the side that’s strong, flexible, and can cope with trauma, versus the side that’s negative and fragile:

I’ve got thick skin and an elastic heart
But your blade it might be too sharp
I’m like a rubberband until you pull too hard
I may snap and I move fast
But you won’t see me fall apart
‘Cos I’ve got an elastic heart

Gorgeous voice.

The music video is equally as powerful – but has been rather controversial. Shia in Elastic Heart Sia music video

This concept of dominance is portrayed by 28-year-old actor Shia LaBeouf and 12-year-old Maddie Ziegler through interpretive dance. It is directed by Sia and Daniel Askill, and choreographed by Ryan Heffington.

Wearing nude-coloured clothing, they dance inside a giant cage, that I assume represents Sia’s head. Ziegler being the protective, flexible side, LaBeouf portraying the aggressive and restricted side.

They both try to fight to be the one that gets outside the cage and be expressed. But at the same time they do want to work as one and get out together. Unfortunately, opposite emotions can’t be expressed at the same time.

Shia LeBeouf in Sia music video (Toward the end of the video, Ziegler softly hits LaBeouf on his forehead. Each time she does so he changes his expression to show the emotions he represents: scared (he’s holding his breath – claustrophobia?), sarcastic, angry and depressed.

Some (in the twittersphere) are saying the video is referring to paedophilia, or could offend victims because a young girl is dancing with an older man.

It is a video that looks primal and raw, but I don’t really think it’s sexual at all.

Elastic Heart music video with Shia LeBeauf Personally, I didn’t realise how young the girl was until I read about it. However, it hasn’t changed my view on the video. I find it creative and expressive. But I suppose you can read into anything if you have an angle in mind.

I think the video shows an incredible amount of talent and power to match an energetic song.

Sia has since tweeted an apology to those who were offended.

All I can say is Maddie and Shia are two of the only actors I felt could play these two warring ‘Sia’ self states. I [apologise] to those who feel triggered by ‘Elastic Heart’. My intention was to create some emotional content, not to upset anybody.

A behind the scenes video of Elastic Heart has been released.

Jodie.

And what it would sound like without music:

Pokey LaFarge Comes to Town

I had the best night of my life so far on Tuesday, March 18.

Pokey LaFarge is a ragtime/jazz band whose sound is like no other. Their thirties-based, feel-good music is absolutely incredible, you can’t help but dance and smile.

I knew about these guys months ago, I heard ‘Hard Times Come, Hard Times Go’ on an advert and looked them up. Although, it was their song ‘Pack It Up’ which got me hooked.

I emailed their manager and asked if they would be coming the New Zealand any time soon, because they are now my favourite band and I quite simply have to hear them live. The reply was, to my disappointment, saying it may happen one day but there were no official plans in place.

However, by Christmas I found out they were to play a gig in Auckland.

You can’t imagine my excitment.

When that Tuesday finally rolled around, I was so excited that I decided to get to the venue two hours before the doors opened. I could hear them practising and even caught a glimpse of some of the members!

The total grandiloquent moment that happened next was unexpected to say the least.

Pokey LaFarge noticed me outside and we chatted for ages! Well. 15 minutes. We even got a photo together! He told me about his travels and how he’s really just “a writer at heart”.

To put it into perspective, this was like a tween girl hanging out with Justin Beiber… I know. Incredible, right!?

He asked me what song was my favourite and I said “Pack It Up!” He replied, “Ooo. I may have to practice that one for yah!”

Their set was a gorgeous up-beat hybrid of jazz, blues and ragtime I was dancing and clapping and screaming the entire time.

TJ, the trumpet player, is a talented man to say the least! Gave me chills! He asked if I took swing lessons… He noticed us dancing in the front row!

Ryan, the percussionist, was fascinating to watch. It looks like he gets completely emerged and lost in the music. So awesome. I’m gutted I couldn’t find him after the gig!!

The clarinet and saxophone player is Chloe. I have to be honest, she made me regret giving up learning the clarinet when I was 9… I’m going to dig it out now that I know it is possible for it to sound that amazing!

The highlight was when Pokey said that this next song is dedicated to a “Kiwi named Jodie Hart”. I just died. On the spot. I do remember blurting out an inaudible “blaaaaa… That’s me!”. The song was Pack It Up. It was the single most incredible moment ever.

After the energetic gig, I met up with Pokey again. He signed the song list (that I subtly retrieved from the stage after the set) and told me to keep writin’!

I asked the bouncer if I could sneak past him to meet Joey (double bass), Adam (guitarist) and TJ, he said no. So the only logical thing was to look like I was about to turn away, but then skip past him. He laughed though, so no harm done. I did feel like quite a rebel though…

Everybody was easy to talk to. They are such interesting and talented people who look awesome in thirties attire.

What an unforgettable evening! How will I ever beat that night…

Thank you to the Pokey Lafarge band!

Jodie.
…I’m going to go ahead and take the title of “biggest fan”.

My Favourite Scene: The Perks of Being A Wallflower

I love this scene in The Perks of Being a Wallflower! The song is Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners.

It is such a contagious song and has that sound that makes you want to get up and dance. Or at least put a smile on your face.

I love Emma Watson’s dancing in this too. Friggin’ awesomely hilarious.

I don’t mean to brag, but I have mastered her choreography for this song…

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: Moulin Rouge!

Moulin Rouge! (2001): Roxanne dance

Roxanne! This is the clash of all negative emotions performed through the incredibly perfect song Roxanne by The Police. A theatrical version that parallels the heartbreak and betrayal that is occurring.

It is an absolutely incredible scene. The best song on the soundtrack, the best dance in the movie, the best performance, the best lighting. Amazing.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1 (2010): Hermione & Harry dancing

In this scene, Hermione and Harry dance to a very emotive song called O’ Children by Nick Cave and the Black Seeds as they mourn Ron’s absence and the bitter situation that they have found themselves in during the war and the search for Voldemort’s horcruxes. It seems to be the quiet time before the storm, but after much destruction, loss and heartache.

Jodie.